The mega rally organised by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) against the Union government's ordinance on services in Delhi was held at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, 11 June.
The rally was led by AAP national convener and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and other top leaders of the party.
Addressing the gathering, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, "The ordinance that was brought in Delhi, this is going to be brought in other states as well I have got this information."
On the other hand, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said that the Narendra Modi government does not respect any elected government that has not been formed by the BJP.
"Thousands of people have gathered here to support the AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. This is a rally to protect democracy. Yes, we are the biggest democracy, but is there any democracy left in this country? The BJP thinks it is the maalik of this country," Mann asserted.
He added: "Narendra Modi is becoming 'Narendra Putin', who like Russia's Putin, wants to stay in power forever. But time will tell. You want to put us in jails, but we will not break so easily."
'Modi's Aim Is To Destroy Opposition': Kapil Sibal
Veteran politician and lawyer Kapil Sibal also addressed the rally, and said that the Narendra Modi-government's aim is to "destroy the entire opposition".
"PM Modi always talks about double engine government, but the aim is to destroy the entire opposition. This is a double-barrel government, ED and CBI. The constitution says that three things will be at the Center- Land, Police and Public Order and the Kejriwal government of Delhi will not be able to interfere with them. Apart from this, there will be no power with the Centre," he said.
Sibal also asked Kejriwal to urge people to join the fight against the Centre, and said that he would be going to every state in the country for this purpose.
"In the coming days, I will go to every state and appeal that we have to fight against PM Modi. Just like PM Modi's 'Mann ki Baat', I want to share mine. Today, the public is grinding. There is no department through which the common people are getting benefitted. I made a decision a few months ago that we are starting a website- Soldiers of Justice. I would like to appeal to Arvind Kejriwal to urge people to join," he said.
Here are some snapshots from the venue.
- 01/10
People gather at Ramlila Maidan for AAP's anti-ordinance rally.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 02/10
People gather at Ramlila Maidan for AAP's anti-ordinance rally.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 03/10
People gathered at the venue.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 04/10
"The Centre's ordinance is aimed at snatching powers given to the Delhi government by the Supreme Court. It is unconstitutional and should be opposed. I have come here all the way from Burari in this heat because Arvind (Kejriwal) ji needs our support," Mansingh Sisodia, 66, tells The Quint.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 05/10
"Arvind Kejriwal is our leader. I am here to support him in his fight against the BJP. He is the leader of the aam aadmi," 82-year-old Nazeer ul Haq, from Jhilmil, tells The Quint.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 06/10
Ahead of the rally, security arrangements have been put in place around Ramlila Maidan. Both paramilitary forces and local police force have been deployed at the venue, which has also been heavily barricaded.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 07/10
Women march towards Ramlila Maidan ahead of the anti-ordinance rally.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 08/10
"The Centre's ordinance will only serve one purpose – creating hindrances in Delhi's development. The public also realises this and that is why they've come out today to oppose the dictatorial ordinance," says AAP councillor from Jharoda ward, Gagan Choudhary.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 09/10
People gather at Ramlila Maidan for AAP's anti-ordinance rally.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
- 10/10
Security forces control the crowd at Ramlila Maidan.
(Photo: Himanshi Dahiya/The Quint)
Why the Rally?
Recently, the Supreme Court of India had ruled that the Delhi government has legislative and executive powers over administrative services in the national capital.
However, shortly after this ruling, the Centre issued an ordinance – the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Ordinance, 2023 – which allows the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi to exercise authority over civil service officers working in most Delhi government departments – in matters of transfers, postings, prosecution sanctions, disciplinary proceedings, vigilance issues, etc.
The rally is the first major public show of strength against the ordinance.
'Is There No Value for People's Mandate?'
"Delhi government came to power as per the people's mandate. But if the Centre wants to run it like a Union Territory, then why did you make it a legislative assembly? Is there not value for people's mandate?" said senior lawyer Kapil Sibal, addressing the gathering.
AAP's Delhi unit convenor Gopal Rai said:
"Our Prime Minister says India is the 'mother of democracy'. But it is with a heavy heart that I have to say that the PM is murdering our democracy. The whole of Delhi is here at Ramlila Maidan. We are here to protest the BJP's arrogance. Through an ordinance, the Centre is reducing the value of Delhiites' votes."
Speaking to the media earlier in the day, AAP MLA Atishi Singh said: "This maha rally is not Arvind Kejriwal's or Aam Aadmi Party's alone. It is a rally for and by the people of Delhi. Today, the people of Delhi are out here to protect their right to vote."
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